finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈna-lē  fi-ˈnä- 

: the close or termination of something: such as

a

: the last section of an instrumental musical composition

the symphony's finale

b

: the closing part, scene, or number in a public performance

the finale of the ballet

In the finale, the singer sang an Italian classic.

c

: the last and often climactic event or item in a sequence

the TV show's season finale

Synonyms of finale

• ending
• conclusion
• end
• culmination

Examples of finale in a Sentence

She sung a very difficult song for the finale.

the finale to the festivities was a grand display of fireworks

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2021 All-Pro did acknowledge that potential reality after the 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the home finale. —CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

Then Kiffin bailed for LSU after the regular-season finale, and Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025

Weekend Update co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che‘s Joke Swap has become a semi-annual Saturday Night Live tradition and a highlight of NBC program’s Christmas episodes and season finales. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025

Jost got his revenge the following May during the Season 50 finale joke swap. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of finale, adjective, "last, final entry 1," going back to Latin fīnālis

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing finale

• grand finale

Rhymes for finale

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈnal-ē  fi-ˈnäl- 

: the close or end of something (as a musical work)